Although it sounds simple and perhaps obvious, a person in recovery needs to take responsibility for their well-being. There might be doctors, therapists, and support groups readily available, but if you’re not asking for what you need, you might miss out on the benefits of healing from addiction. Recovery from addiction isn’t complicated, but it does take time and effort.
Certainly, at the start of a recovery, there might be all sorts of people there to help you, and they might be asking you about your needs. In fact, at the start of a recovery, there might even be people telling you what to do: attend this 12-step meeting, meet me in a week for therapy, return to this facility for a drug test, etc. You might be overloaded with demands regarding your treatment. Although you might find this frustrating, the fact that professionals are guiding you in your early recovery can be helpful and provide a certain sense of stability.
However, at some point, you may need to take responsibility for your needs and healing. If you were the one to call for help initially when you realized you needed it, then you already demonstrated responsibility, maturity, and initiative. It’s those traits in a person that continues to be required throughout the many phases of recovery. However, if someone made that call for you, if a friend or loved one called for treatment on your behalf, then you might not yet know what it’s like to stand up for your needs. You might not yet know how important it is to speak up when you need something.
Importance of Learning to Express Your Needs
Some people, especially those who have struggled with addiction, can have a hard time expressing their needs. They might believe that their needs don’t matter or that what they are going through has no value. It’s common for addicts to struggle with depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, and powerlessness, and these experiences can contribute to not giving your life value. These experiences might also contribute to making choices in your life that are harmful and self-harming. For instance, those who struggle with an addiction might choose to drink when they are angry versus taking responsibility for their anger by seeing a therapist or psychologist. Another example is avoiding intense feelings after the death of a loved one through drug use versus taking responsibility for the loss and getting help with the grieving process.
Thus, it’s vital to find the right therapy so you can heal from addiction. Some of the therapies Westwind Recovery® offers include:
- Art therapy
- Adventure therapy
- Music therapy
- Trauma therapy
- Virtual reality meditation therapy
We designed each of these therapeutic programs to cater to your needs.
Asking for Help in Recovery from Addiction
However, you have to ask for help to receive it. You can see that asking for help, no matter what stage you’re at in your recovery, is an act of maturity and responsibility. During an addiction, you might not have taken responsibility for your life. However, in recovery, you learn to do the opposite. In recovery, you have the opportunity to take responsibility for your physical, emotional, and psychological well being. And this means saying something when you need medical attention, psychiatric care, or psychological services. This might also mean speaking up when you need to be with others versus staying isolated and alone. Taking responsibility for your recovery might also mean finding a new sponsor if your current one isn’t working for you.
Taking responsibility for your recovery means doing anything and everything to ensure that you stay sober, healthy, and safe.
Recovery from Addiction at Westwind Recovery®
Recovery from addiction takes time. No one heals from the disease of addiction overnight. However, learning patience can be a challenge. Fortunately, when you have the support of the compassionate and experienced staff at Westwind Recovery®, you’ll be able to learn to focus and heal. Here at Westwind Recovery®, we specialize in:
So if you are wondering just how your recovery from addiction will go, then give us a call at 855.340.8832. Explore what we have to offer, it may just be what you need to start your healing today.
Dr. Deena is the Chief Clinical Officer of Westwind Recovery®, an award-winning outpatient treatment center in Los Angeles where she oversees the clinical and administrative program and treatment methods. Dr. Deena is a doctor of psychology and licensed clinical social worker since 1993. LCSW #20628. Originally from the East Coast, Dr. Deena has worked running treatment centers, worked as a therapist in psychiatric hospitals as well as school settings and currently has a thriving private practice in the LA area. Dr. Deena has appeared regularly on the Dr. Phil Show as an expert since 2003. She has also been featured on many other TV shows, podcasts and has contributed to written publications as well as podcasts.
